FOOTBALLER John Terry has denied that an alleged racial slur against another player was made because he was being taunted about his private life.

During the third day of a trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court, the 31-year-old Chelsea captain, who lives in Queens Drive, Oxshott, said he had not "snapped" after Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand taunted him.

The court was shown footage of the late stages of Chelsea's Premier League match at QPR on October 23 last year, where it is alleged the defendant used racially offensive language.

Showing the film frame-by-frame, the prosecution claimed there was another unmentioned word Mr Terry had uttered, and the defendant agreed he appeared to say "and".

It was then suggested Mr Terry had responded to Mr Ferdinand's goading that he had "s*****d Bridgey's missus" with the statement: “Yeah, and yours too, you f***ing black c***." The defendant denied this was the case.

His Chelsea team mate, Ashley Cole, told the court that Mr Ferdinand had goaded Mr Terry moments before he was alleged to have racially abused the QPR man.

Mr Cole said he only heard three words said by Mr Ferdinand - "Bridgey", "black" and "c***" - and that he knew that the first word referred to an alleged relationship between Mr Terry and the ex-partner of former team-mate Wayne Bridge.

He said: “Some people might think it's cool to do that. Some people might not. I say no.”

Mr Cole did not hear what Mr Terry said in reply, despite being "only a car's length" away from him.

Asked about being taunted, the Chelsea captain agreed that there was little more serious that he could be accused of on the pitch than racism, and said: “That's why I responded like I did, calling him a f***ing k***head for even suggesting it.”

At one stage, Mr Terry was asked why he called Mr Ferdinand "a f***ing k***head". He responded: “Because I thought he was a f***ing k***head.”

Mr Terry has admitted saying the words "f***ing black c***", but claims he was repeating them back to Mr Ferdinand.

'Shook hands'

The defendant was also asked about a post-match meeting called between him and Mr Ferdinand. He said this happened 15 to 20 minutes after the game, although Mr Ferdinand said he believed it was about 45 minutes after full-time.

Mr Terry said: “I asked him [Mr Ferdinand] outright in front of Ash [Ashley Cole]. I was angered by what he had said on the pitch. He said 'no, no, no'.

“I thought that was the end of the matter. I shook his hand,” he added.

The prosecution also asked Mr Terry about footage which showed fellow Chelsea player John Mikel Obi standing between him and a camera when the disputed comments were made. Mr Obi turned to face Mr Terry part-way though, and then looked back to the camera.

Asked if Mr Terry had spoken to Mr Obi about the incidents, he said: “No. Chelsea asked him [if he heard anything] and he said no.”

The court later heard character witness statements in support of Mr Terry from fellow Chelsea players and ex-manager Jose Mourinho.

Former assistant manager, Ray Wilkins, said he had known the defendant since the age of "16 or 17", and added: "I have seen John take some unconscionable criticism, and never seen him respond.”